More than 30,000 people vied for the chance to win the car but Mr Pear’s winning entry came out on top during a draw hosted by England Rugby star Manusamoa Tuilagi at the Leicester Tigers home stadium in December.

Mr Pears said: “I feel absolutely fabulous winning the car. I’ve never won anything in the past so this feels great. It’s a great way to start the year.”

Mr Pears collected his prize from the Drive Vauxhall dealership in Hartlepool. Joe Palmer, General Manager of the Hartlepool and Redcar dealerships, said: “We called Mr Pears before New Year’s Eve to give him the good news and he didn’t believe us at first. It is a fantastic way for us to end the year.”